NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport had reported that the Dallas Cowboys worked out David Carr, Tyler Thigpen, John Skelton and Caleb Hanie, only to send all four free-agent quarterbacks home without a contract.

"I mean it's just like anything else throughout 15, 16 years -- you do have to be ready," Kitna explained. "You do have to know everything that the starter knows. All that is head knowledge. You obviously don't get the chance to go out there and rep it in practice throughout the week and obviously not playing on Sundays, but you're expected to be ready."

The coaching staff is still holding out slim hope that Romo will play in a win-and-in season finale versus the Eagles. If Romo can't go and Orton exits with injury, the Cowboys' best puncher's chance will be turning to a quarterback familiar with the personnel and the playbook.